Gift idea up to £100

[steveatesh]

I've been asked to provide some ideas for a xmas prezzy for a budget up to about £100. Basically he (son) will decide what to buy from a number of ideas I give him.

I've got a Nikon D5100 with 18-140mm Nikon lens, 50mm prime, kit of course too, plus a Manfrotto tripod and a decent case.
I have Lightroom 6 permanent licence and Pixelmator. I am not interested in Photoshop for my level of photography. He has previously bought me the Karl Taylor training video set.

So my basic stuff is catered for.

Up to now I've thought of a Hoyo 67mm PRO1 CPL which is about £35.

I've always managed with the built in flash and a Nikon speedlight is beyond budget, but what about these flash lights (£65) anybody got any experience of them?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/YN-565EX-Electronic-Speedl...

Any other useful accessories or add ons anybody can suggest please? I'd like to stay with photography stuff if possible, or he'll buy me a tee shirt or something!

[Simpo Two]

I would drag you back to Photoshop (Elements). It's useful for any level of photography. Everyone speaks English; PS is the English of photography.

Other than that, what's holding you back, if anything?

[ssray]

I think I had that model flashgun and used it on my d90 and d3200, It`s not ttl only the nikon flashes are, good flash but i sold mine to buy a s/h nikon d600

[steveatesh]

Simpo Two said:

I would drag you back to Photoshop (Elements). It's useful for any level of photography. Everyone speaks English; PS is the English of photography.

Other than that, what's holding you back, if anything?

Tbh I'd forgot about elements, I meant the full on 'shop. That's a good suggestion thanks.

[steveatesh]

ssray said:

I think I had that model flashgun and used it on my d90 and d3200, It`s not ttl only the nikon flashes are, good flash but i sold mine to buy a s/h nikon d600

Thanks for that. I think you're right, I'll aim for a Nikon flash another time.

[V8Wagon]

Decent ND filter?

I've recently got a 10 stop Hoya ND filter and it opens up all sorts of creative options.

[shed driver]

How about a decent wireless remote? An intervalometer?

Should leave money over for some prints?

SD.

[Berz]

steveatesh said:

ssray said:

I think I had that model flashgun and used it on my d90 and d3200, It`s not ttl only the nikon flashes are, good flash but i sold mine to buy a s/h nikon d600

Thanks for that. I think you're right, I'll aim for a Nikon flash another time.

No, he's wrong. On the cheaper flash units (think £25-30) there is no TTL but these more expensive ones do have it. I have 3 Neewer ones (1x TTL and 2x non-TTL) and they work a treat. The Yongnuos get recommended a lot online as sensible alternatives to the Nikon/Canon ones.

[A900ss]

From what you have i really do think a Nikon Speedlight will add so much to your photography. I know its a gift but would your son be willing to buy you a secondhand Speedlight?

Either way, have fun.

Edit: Just spotted you have a D5100. Not sure if that body can high speed sync with a speed light over 1/200 or act in commander mode. Both would be necessary to get the fullest from a Speedlight so check in advance.

Edited by A900ss on Wednesday 21st October 10:22

[Simpo Two]

A900ss said:

From what you have i really do think a Nikon Speedlight will add so much to your photography. I know its a gift but would your son be willing to buy you a secondhand Speedlight?

Either way, have fun.

Edit: Just spotted you have a D5100. Not sure if that body can high speed sync with a speed light over 1/200 or act in commander mode. Both would be necessary to get the fullest from a Speedlight so check in advance.

A Speedlight would be a very useful addition if it fits the budget - but you can get a lot of mileage from one simply by using on the hotshoe and bouncing/tilting as required (or use a flash bracket). Once you move into the master/commander/CLS area they get complex and probably beyond what the OP wants or is willing to get his brain round. I use SB800s singly on a flash bracket with a curly lead, and they make a world of difference. So if you can bend the budget - maybe a s/h SB600? - go for it.

[GetCarter]

Thinking outside the box:

£25 return flight to Inverness next April. (Depends how far north you are... might not need the flight)
£30 car hire.
£45 B&B in Torridon.

= http://www.stevecarter.com/latest/latesttorridon15...

Sorted!

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 21st October 12:56

[steveatesh]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody, i've made up a list with a variety of your suggestions at different prices, including a couple of the flash suggestions from here (after researching eBay and various reviews), Photoshop elements, some filters too.

Sadly the trip away, while very tempting, wouldn't be possible - good try though!

enough her to keep my Xmas day busy without any mention of tee shirts!..

Cheers

[ExPat2B]

For a D5100 you want a YONGNUO YN565EX TTL flash.

This does TTL when mounted as a bounce/main flash up to the 1/200 sync speed of the 5100.

The 568ex supports HSS which you can't use.

Using a rear bounce flash makes a HUGE difference to indoor winter photography. Say goodbye to colour casts and high iso !

Hope this helps.

[steveatesh]

ExPat2B said:

For a D5100 you want a YONGNUO YN565EX TTL flash.

This does TTL when mounted as a bounce/main flash up to the 1/200 sync speed of the 5100.

The 568ex supports HSS which you can't use.

Using a rear bounce flash makes a HUGE difference to indoor winter photography. Say goodbye to colour casts and high iso !

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I am considering the YN568EX model which does the HSS in case I get a full frame camera in the future. Will that model be ok with the D5100 or should I go for the 565 model as you suggest?

[ExPat2B]

steveatesh said:

ExPat2B said:

For a D5100 you want a YONGNUO YN565EX TTL flash.

This does TTL when mounted as a bounce/main flash up to the 1/200 sync speed of the 5100.

The 568ex supports HSS which you can't use.

Using a rear bounce flash makes a HUGE difference to indoor winter photography. Say goodbye to colour casts and high iso !

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I am considering the YN568EX model which does the HSS in case I get a full frame camera in the future. Will that model be ok with the D5100 or should I go for the 565 model as you suggest?

I used to run the YN568EX flash on a D3200, worked perfectly in all modes( although it a bit big and heavy )

Another very good option for the D3xxx and D5xxx cameras is the Nissin DI866. This is more expensive but adds the CLS feature( Creative lighting system ) to the camera ( which Dx and 5x models do not have ) CLS is awesome - you can TTL flash with multiple off camera speedlights with different compensation levels all setup from a graphical menu on the back of the camera.

I typically use CLS with 2/3 flashes off camera, both set to bounce off the wall/ceiling, one setup in one group with +1 compensation and one set -2 compensation to create smoothly graduated shadows and gentler fill.